Are we running the same Infineon layout as '04, or switching to the AMA Turn 9?

The AFM will be running the AMA configuration.

Prior to our first race, the dirt area between the AMA chicane and the old Turn 9 will be paved, giving a safer runoff area. Of course, none of our racers will be needing that, right?

Wow, they are really doing good things at Infineon. Paving that dirt is a good thing.

I rode the AMA Turn 9 last winter at a track day, more than one bike was sampling the mud by overestimating their braking capabilities.

It's not entirely accurate to say we will run the AMA layout though, is it? Since the AMA keeps the Turn 1 chicane while we run the old-school Turn 1?

And isn't the AFM Turn 11 slightly different than the AMA Turn 11? I just can't keep it all straight.

>>It's not entirely accurate to say we will run the AMA layout though, is it?<<

Ah, but your initial question was only about Turn 9.

As you mentioned, we'll be running the original Turn 1 (the big sweeping version).

I think AMA actually switched to our Turn 11 last time, but I'm not positive. Regardless, we'll be running what Infineon refers to as "mid Turn 11", which is the same one we used in 2004.

In summary, we'll run the same track as in October 2004 except for changing to the new Turn 9.

Given all the possible outcomes, I think paving the area in the turn 9 chicane and running it really is the best solution.

I'm also happy that they are moving back those huge light-poles on the exit of the carousel.

-Ryan

cool... that means we can straight-line it between turns 9 and 11 on the last lap and win the race.

...only works if you yell "oops" inside your helmet really loud so the turnworkers can hear it.

prolariot wrote:cool... that means we can straight-line it between turns 9 and 11 on the last lap and win the race.

...only works if you yell "oops" inside your helmet really loud so the turnworkers can hear it.

it might get a little messy with the proposed tire wall between the 9 & 11 to uh....discourage such behavior.

Then again I've got what looks like a cow-catcher for a fairing stay, maybe It'll work!!!!!

-R

ryanb wrote:

prolariot wrote:cool... that means we can straight-line it between turns 9 and 11 on the last lap and win the race.

...only works if you yell "oops" inside your helmet really loud so the turnworkers can hear it.

it might get a little messy with the proposed tire wall between the 9 & 11 to uh....discourage such behavior.

Then again I've got what looks like a cow-catcher for a fairing stay, maybe It'll work!!!!!

-R

Well, if it isn't an issue to hit tires behind a corner, maybe we should go back to the original Turn 11 as well.
What's the logic to using this poorly designed, band-aid?
You're talking about eliminating one of the best parts of the track. Which happens to be part of the Sears Point logo.
Following AMAProracing is bad. They aren't headed in the right direction.

Original T11, as in the turn with ZERO runoff where KC Gager ended his racing career? No, as much as I really, really liked that turn, it was way to dangerous and the AMA T11 (or "mid-T11") is a much, much better option, plus it eliminates the need for the haybale chicane (T12) that also claimed a lot of AFM racers.

Don't confuse some of the misguided AMA actions (just my opinion) with an AMA track layout - not everything they do is a bad idea...

I hope someone is recording the 1st lap in 600sb with the t9 chicane, it should be memorable.

What ryanb said - except I'm going to have a "helmet-cam" view of it - I hope I survive!

afm24 wrote:>>It's not entirely accurate to say we will run the AMA layout though, is it?<<

Ah, but your initial question was only about Turn 9.

As you mentioned, we'll be running the original Turn 1 (the big sweeping version).

Kevin, you told me by phone last month that it would be the AMA configuration. So that's what I've been telling riders about our track days at Infineon on 2/17 and 2/18. (We always run the configuration the AFM races at Infineon and Buttonwillow.)

Some AMA guys signed up and this may be important to them. Is this a certainty as best you can say? The old T1, not the AMA T1? I have some fast talking to do.

Thanks,
Lance.

I really hope that this does not turn Sears into a crash fest. I ran ama there last years and thought that it totaly ruined the track. I thought it was also very unsafe.

Yeah, I'm not fond of the new T1 either. For that matter I like the old T9 and T11!

If Kevin confirms the AFM will be using old T1 (and I suppose he will) then we'll run that next Thursday and Friday and I'll just apologize to anyone upset. Of course I'll have my 120 lb. rotweiller with me.

not to ruffle any feathers, but when was there discussion to get input from the membership about the change to T9? The last I heard was in the summer time when it was said that we would revisit the discussion later on.

I never saw any board notes mention that, and I didn't hear about it at any of the meetings I attended.

Thanks